New Voice Opposes MEADS

The WasteWatcher

September 10, 2013 — Sean Kennedy

As members of Congress reconvene following their long summer break, one of their most immediate tasks will be to pass legislation to fund the federal government beyond the current fiscal year, which ends at the end of the month.

One issue that is likely to crop up (yet) again is funding for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). The program has proven challenging to finish off. In fact, earlier this summer, Rep. Rob Andrews (D-N.J.) compared it to Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, stating “You think [MEADS] is dead and it keeps popping out of the bathtub again.”

Dean Popps, a former U.S. Army Acting Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology has added his voice to the masses that oppose any continued funding for MEADS. In an op-ed appearing in Defense News on September 3, 2013, Popps makes the case that, in the present climate of defense cuts brought about by sequestration, MEADS does not deserve further investment.

Opposed by the Obama Administration, and seemingly most members of Congress, the MEADS program is set to undergo an expensive test in November. According to Popps this test is “largely to assuage our partner nations hoping to fill the void left by the United States,” and is unworthy of funding.

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste laid out the full case against MEADS in its microsite, MisguidedMissile.org.